Michael Tanenbaum
Michael Tanenbaum is a senior staff writer for PhillyVoice.com, with interests ranging from technology and behavioral health to local community initiatives and cultural life. Michael has written for the Argentina Independent and Bespoke Magazine and previously served as a news editor for Xfinity.com before joining PhillyVoice. He received his B.A. in The Writing Seminars at Johns Hopkins University.
June 22, 2023
Marijuana
Pa. lawmakers propose allowing medical marijuana edibles, expanding doctors' prescribing guidelines
Pennsylvania lawmakers have proposed a package of bills to liberalize the state's medical marijuana program. One of the bills approved by the Senate Law & Justice Committee would permit the production and sale of edibles including gummies, candies, cookies and brownies. Another bill would eliminate the need for patients to pay annual ID renewal fees. Doctors also would be allowed to prescribe medical marijuana for any condition, rather than just the current 24 qualifying conditions.June 22, 2023
Courts
Drunk driver gets 12 years in prison for crash that killed South Jersey restaurant owner
Desmond Newberry, 45, of Marlton, was sentenced to 12 years in prison for a drunk-driving crash that killed the owner of Mount Laurel Italian restaurant Cucina Carini in September 2021. Glenn Keen, the 52-year-old restaurant owner, was pulling out of the parking lot of his business when he was struck by Newberry's BMW, which was traveling 126 mph, prosecutors said. Newberry had blood alcohol level of 0.256%, more than three times the legal limit in New Jersey.June 22, 2023
Transportation
NASCAR sends jet dryer to aid I-95 repair work in Northeast Philly as highway nears reopening
The temporary I-95 roadway built in Northeast Philly is set to open this weekend after a section of the highway collapsed two weeks ago in a truck fire near the Cottman Avenue exit. With rain in the forecast, PennDOT called in a NASCAR jet dryer to keep the new roadway dry for paving and striping. The backfilled road is the first part of a two-phase plan that involves construction of a new bridge that reconnects the highway.June 21, 2023
Investigations
Police say teens tried to light sparklers, not dynamite or illegal firecrackers, inside Fresh Grocer in East Germantown
Philadelphia police now say that three teenagers, who allegedly were spotted trying light fireworks inside a Fresh Grocer on Tuesday afternoon, had actually attempted to ignite sparklers that were part of a Fourth of July display. Police had said earlier that the teens tried to light "sticks of dynamite," and then later said on Wednesday morning that the devices were M-100 and M-80 firecrackers.June 21, 2023
Investigations
Philadelphia University grad among 5 missing on OceanGate submersible near Titanic wreck
The five people aboard the missing OceanGate Expeditions submersible Titan, which was traveling to the Titanic wreck site, include British-Pakistani businessman Shahzada Dawood, 48, and his 19-year-old son, Suleman. Shazada is a 2000 graduate of Philadelphia University. On Wednesday, the U.S. Coast Guard reported sounds detected underwater by a Canadian aircraft participating in the search and rescue mission in the north Atlantic Ocean.June 20, 2023
Transportation
Collapsed segment of I-95 in Northeast Philly to reopen this weekend
I-95 will reopen this weekend in Northeast Philly following the completion of the backfill and paving project at the site where a truck fire destroyed the highway earlier this month, Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro said. A temporary roadway will have three lanes of traffic in both directions that remain open throughout the construction of a permanent bridge to repair the highway. The full cost of the federally funded project is expected to be $25-$30 million.June 20, 2023
Government
More than $7 million in COVID relief for New Jersey fisheries may need to be paid back, state says
Nearly half of the federal relief money paid to New Jersey fisheries and related businesses during the COVID-19 pandemic may need to be returned to the state due to the improper review of applications by the state Department of Environmental Protection, officials said Tuesday. The New Jersey DEP administered a total of about $14.4 million in CARES Act funds to fisheries, approving awards for seafood processors, dealers and charter fishing companies that submitted applications.June 20, 2023
Food & Drink
New spirits company created by Cape May Brewing Co. debuts Beach Blends cocktails
Cape May Brewing Co., one of the largest craft brewers in New Jersey, has created Cape May Spirits Co., which just rolled out a pair of canned cocktails called Beach Blends. Tropical Vodka Punch and Orange Vodka Crush are both 5% ABV and are now being sold in four-packs at retailers in New Jersey. Last month, Cape May Brewing announced the acquisition of Flying Fish, one of the state's oldest breweries.June 20, 2023
Mental Health
Can probiotics help with depression? Link between mental health, gut bacteria points to benefits
Probiotic supplements are emerging as possible aids in the treatment of depression and anxiety. The link between gut health and mental health has become a growing area of study due to the common overlap of bowel dysfunction and problems with mood. A new study from King's College London found that probiotics improved depression symptoms in people who were already taking antidepressants compared to a placebo group. The research paves the way for further studies on the gut-brain axis and how probiotics might help with emotional problems.June 19, 2023
Health News
Smoking, drinking habits may explain why night owls tend to die younger than morning people
Does being a night owl increase the risk of death and disease compared to early-rising morning people? New research out of Finland suggests that bad habits like smoking and drinking may have more to do with these discrepancies than bedtimes. A long-term study found that night owls who died earlier than their counterparts tended to have issues stemming from other unhealthy behaviors.Just In
- Joel Embiid probable for Sixers-Knicks on Saturday; ankle sprain no longer listed
- Girard Point Bridge to get $261 million in repairs over the next five years
- Police seek help finding SUV used in hit-and-run that killed DJ in Overbrook
- Expect delays on I-95 in Northeast Philly as PennDOT schedules lane closures for repairs
- Not all people who die by suicide are depressed — despite common thought
- Eagles-Commanders Week 18 injury report, with analysis
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